They’re the product that many women religiously reach for at certain times of the month.
But scientists have issued an urgent warning to British women after discovering toxic pesticides in tampons at 40 times the drinking water limit.
Experts have tested 15 boxes of tampons from UK retailers across a range of popular brands including Tampax, Lil Lets, Superdrug, Tesco and Boots.
Analysis revealed one sample, which has not been named, contained 0.004mg/kg of glyphosate – a toxic chemical that is the world’s most popular weedkiller.
While it may seem a small amount, the UK and EU maximum residue level for drinking water is 0.0001 mg/kg.
The WHO has previously dubbed the chemical as ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’ – meaning it is likely linked to cancer.
It has also been linked to the development of Parkinson’s and other serious health conditions.
Amy Heley, Public Affairs Manager at the Pesticide Collaboration, said: ‘If this level of glyphosate is deemed to be unsafe in the water we drink, why is it allowed to appear in our period products?’
Analysis revealed one sample contained 0.004mg/kg of glyphosate – a toxic chemical that is the world’s most popular weedkiller
Pesticides such as these end up in period products after being used to grow cotton, which is the main ingredient in tampons (pictured: a cotton plant)
‘Our investigation reveals that women, girls and those who menstruate may not be protected from exposure to harmful chemicals.
‘And yet, most people remain completely unaware that this is even an issue.’
Pesticides end up in period products after being used to grow cotton, which is the main ingredient in tampons.
Unlike when ingested through food or water, chemicals absorbed via the vagina directly enter the bloodstream, bypassing the body’s detoxification systems.
Helen Lynn, Environmenstrual Campaign Manager at the Women’s Environmental Network, said: ‘Women, girls and people who menstruate deserve full transparency about what’s in their period products.
‘It is scandalous that pesticides linked to cancer, as well as other toxic chemicals linked to reproductive and hormonal diseases, can show up in period products.
‘Consumers deserve robust regulation that guarantees the safety of these products.’
In the US, the link between glyphosate and cancer has played out publicly in the courts, with thousands of lawsuits being taken against pesticide company Monsanto.
In the US, the link between glyphosate and cancer has played out publicly in the courts, with thousands of lawsuits being taken against pesticide company Monsanto, who are the manufacturers of Roundup
Glyphosate is the world’s most popular weedkiller but it is ‘probably carcinogenic to humans’, according to the WHO
They are the manufacturers of Roundup, of which the active ingredient is glyphosate, and thousands of plaintiffs across the US have been awarded damages for their diagnosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma – a type of cancer.
In 2020, Monsanto agreed to pay almost $11 billion to settle most Roundup cancer claims, and additional trials are expected to resume this year.
Previous studies have also detected traces of heavy metals such as lead and arsenic in some tampons.
Josie Cohen, Interim Director at Pesticide Action Network, said: ‘We were genuinely shocked to find glyphosate in tampons sitting on UK shelves.
‘This harmful chemical is already impossible to avoid since it’s sprayed by councils in streets and parks and contaminates much of our food and water due to its overuse in farming.
‘We urgently need to reduce our overall toxic load and shouldn’t have to worry about glyphosate and other Highly Hazardous Pesticides in our period products.
‘This is a blatant gap in health and safety regulation that the government urgently needs to address.’
The report suggests a handful of recommendations for the UK Government, including the introduction of robust regulation for period products with a testing scheme in place to ensure that they are free of pesticide residues.
